Modern Athlete Magazine Issue 52, November 2013 | Page 19

My Story brought to you by

Nothing is Impossible
Whenever I think things are getting a bit hard, I just think
back to 2010, when I overcame a serious injury and other big
disappointments to conquer the World Triathlon champs.
– BY TERRI-LYNN PENNEY

I

n 2010, my year started off with a bang, winning the Friendly City Marathon in
PE in January and putting in a good show at the South African Triathlon Champs in
Germiston. Then one evening, while out running down Milner Street, Grahamstown, I
stood on a stone, fell and suffered a hairline fracture to my ankle. And this happened
a week before the SA Duathlon Champs. I was angry and devastated, and to make
things worse, I got retrenched from my job in between all the happenings!
So I was on crutches for six weeks, but I remained positive throughout this very
frustrating period. Then two weeks before coming out of my cast, I heard that I had
been selected to represent my country at the World Triathlon Champs in Budapest,
Hungary. The inevitable questions followed... How would I raise R27 000 to enable
me to travel, and would I be able to get fit enough in time to compete? But I was
determined, and when my hubby, Steve and I discussed the situation, we agreed,
“why not, if not!”

Images: Courtesy Terri-Lynn Penney

GIVING IT A GO

Fortunately, my injury healed nicely and I had exactly
eight weeks to get fit and raise R27 000. The first two
weeks of rehab were very intense and I had physio
two hours each day. It was very painful, and teaching
myself to walk again and getting my muscle strength
back required a lot of courage and patience. My first
swimming session started the day after I came out
of my cast, and Steve still took me to the pool on my
crutches – I managed to swim 750m, only being able
to kick with one leg. My first few cycling sessions
were done on my indoor trainer until I
was capable of using my legs on my
TT bike.

On PB pace at the World Champs in Hungary.

BACK UP TO SPEED

After eight weeks of blood sweat and tears, I was able to compete, despite so many
people telling me I would never make it. I raced in the 30 to 34 age group, competing
against 68 other entrants, and in both the swim and the cycle I was heating up the
pace. Then I hit the run, and despite not being at my strongest, I still managed to
overtake a few athletes. By the time I finished, I was buggered, but ecstatic to find I
had set a new PB for the standard triathlon by over 13 minutes! Through the willpower
of my mind and the grace of God, I learnt that all things are possible.

But still no running… I only started
running four weeks before leaving
for Worlds! My first run was 1.6km,
which took me over 25 minutes to
complete! I was basically teaching
myself to run again after 12
weeks of no running, and I can
say with pride that one week
before leaving for Worlds, I did
a 4km time trial in 16:24. In
between, I was still trying to
raise the funding I needed,
by baking muffins, selling
bacon and egg rolls, selling
raf?e tickets, and organising
a fun run. I also had more than
50 sponsors donating towards my trip – the
Grahamstown community really came together
to send their athlete overseas!
With husband Steve.

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